Bermuda grass should be scalped in the spring to ensure a healthy, vigorous growing season. Scalping is the intentional practice of cutting the turf much lower than its regular maintenance height to remove the dead, dormant layer from winter. Bermuda grass responds favorably to this treatment, which effectively resets the lawn for optimal summer performance and promotes the dense, low-growing turf quality desired.
The Purpose of Scalping Bermuda Grass
Scalping serves multiple biological and aesthetic functions that prepare the lawn for active growth. The removal of the dead tissue prevents the accumulated material from shading new shoots and allows sunlight to penetrate the ground more effectively. Increased sun exposure warms the soil, which is a significant factor in breaking dormancy and triggering the grass to grow more quickly. This accelerates the emergence of new, green blades across the entire turf area.
Scalping also encourages a desirable shift in the grass’s growth pattern. By removing the vertical stems accumulated during the previous season, the practice forces the plant to prioritize horizontal growth via its runners (stolons and rhizomes). This promotes a lateral spread, resulting in a denser turf that can be maintained at a lower height throughout the summer months.
Determining the Right Time and Height
The ideal window for scalping is determined by soil temperature, not simply the calendar date or air temperature. Bermuda grass begins active growth when the soil temperature consistently reaches between 60°F and 65°F at a four-inch depth. Scalping should occur just as the grass is beginning to show signs of green-up, typically when 10 to 15 percent of the lawn has emerged from dormancy.
Cutting too early exposes new shoots to potential damage from a late frost, risking a setback in the overall spring recovery. Waiting too long makes the cut excessively difficult and stressful, as the mower must shear through a large volume of new growth.
When performing the cut, the goal is to lower the grass to its minimum acceptable height. For most home lawns, this means setting the rotary mower to its lowest possible setting, aiming for a finished height between 0.5 and 1 inch. This drastic reduction should not be completed in a single pass, as attempting to remove too much material at once can strain the mower and damage the turf crown.
Instead, lower the mower deck gradually over two or three passes, reducing the height by one full setting each time. Ensure the mower blades are freshly sharpened before beginning the process. Dull blades tear the grass, leaving ragged edges that can invite disease and delay recovery.
Essential Post-Scalping Care
Once the scalping is complete, the immediate cleanup and subsequent care routines are essential for a rapid recovery. The immense volume of brown, dead clippings generated must be completely bagged and removed from the lawn area. Leaving this material, even in thin layers, will smother the delicate new growth and reintroduce the thatch layer the scalping was intended to remove.
The exposed soil and newly cut crowns benefit greatly from a light watering immediately following the cleanup. This settles any disturbed soil and provides initial moisture to the root zone without over-saturating the area. Following this initial drink, normal irrigation practices can resume as the grass begins to establish its spring growth.
The freshly exposed soil is now ready for pre-emergent weed control, which should be applied immediately after the scalp. This application creates a barrier that prevents the germination of warm-season annual weeds, such as crabgrass, that thrive in bare soil. However, the first nitrogen fertilization application should be delayed until the Bermuda grass has fully greened up and begun to actively grow, which is typically two to three weeks after the scalp. Applying nitrogen too early risks feeding cool-season weeds that are already active while the Bermuda grass is still warming up.